The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-08-15
IS THERE A GAVE?
A Correspondent Thinks There is, Blu
a Search Fails to Reveal One.

A correspondent InlnKS Inef0 Is, BuG
a Search Fails to Reveal One.
HAMILTON, GA, Aug lin Sundays
issue of the Columbus Enquirer-S1tn there
appeared communication from Mountain
Hill, twelve miles east Of Hamilton, in this
county, giving an account of the discovery
of a wonderful cave near that place. The
writer stated that the entrance to the cave
was a very difficult one; that the
cave contained a large lake, go yards in
diameter; that there were abundant evil
denceS that the cave had once been inhab-
lied. and that it was III many respects the
most wonderful cave in the United States.
This article produced at once great excite
ment among the usually quiet citizens of
this place, and since then the absorbing
topic of conversation has been the cave.
Hamilton is the nearest railroad point to
the German mountain, where the cave is
said to be, so the people naturally felt con-
siderable interest in the subject. The good
people here could not realize that there was
such a wonder so near them, and many posi-
lively refused to believe the story. Nearly
every one in town had serious doubts about
the existence of the cave They thought
that The story was only the result of fertile
imagination and an easy pen. Various rea-
sons were given by those who would not be-
leve.
The only way to ascertain the truth about
it was to visit the cave and explore it if it
could be found. Accordingly an explora-
ton party was organized and this morning
nine gentlemen of this town, of whom was
one, started for the cave with determine
ton to find it if it existed. All necessary
preparations was made for thorough eXplo-
ration The outfit consisted of a big bundle
of Old clothes, three lanterns, 100 yards of
rope, pistol, breech-loading shot gun,
box of matches, and various other necessary
articles, including a good lunch. 1t was
after o'clock when the party got well IN
derway The weather was pleasant and the
sun did not shine OF all too hot The party
was polled after it bad left the town behind
and the result was as follows;
II don't believe the cave is there"
"The cave is certainly there"
Although the doubters were in the ma
iority, the whole party seemed determined
to look well for the cave, and get as much
Measure from the occasion as possible, and
a record Of the day shows that they had
their fun. The road was a rough one and
the distance seemed twice as great as we
were told it was, but every one was in fine
spirts and the time passed swiftly. Every
one whom we met was stopped by the lead
inc buggy in the procession and the follow
ing conversation ensucd:
SWc are looking for a big cave in the Ger
man MOUNTAIN.
Eyes, SIR"
"Do YOU know of such a caveT
"Well, sir, there is big hole in the noun
tain where the old copper mine was before
the war"
"You haven't heard of the newly discov-
cred cave then"
mo, sir"
Disguised at SUCH ignorance, we would
then move on When we reached Noun
tain Iiill no one was found who knew any
thing about the cave. Mr. Lum Dukes,
who wrote the article in the Enquirer, and
Mr.. Will Smith, who had accompanied
Mr. Dukes in his first exploration,
were quickly found Mr. Dukes was
seized upon and piled with questions. At
length the Professor got the floor and ques-
toned the prisoner as follows:
"Mr. Dukes, did you see the cave you dis
coveredp
eyes, sir"
as it as big as you said it wasp
81 think soN
"How big is il"
Enormous; but can't tell exactly"
"And you saw the lake in itF'
ayes, sir"
as it as big as you said it was"
eyes, sir"
"When were you in this cave, Mr..
Dulesp
Friday"
'Why have you not been there SINGER
al could get no one 20 go with me-"
Are You sure you saw everything just
like you wrote TO tho Enquirer
~ think so.n